A More Important Goal

After the race.

Walking out of the crowded throng, Zepp stretched both arms toward the blue sky and grumbled, "I'm exhausted."

Quite a few of the free promotional items routinely handed out to local racing fans had relied on the deputy manager's labor to be carried over.

As the owner, Kitano stretched beside him as well, raising both arms high to loosen up muscles and joints that had begun to ache after all that signing.

Judging from the sun's position, it had only just passed noon.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked up at the somewhat dazzling sunlight beyond the racecourse, considering what to do next.

"How about a victory celebration?"

Rachel Ho was the one who suggested it. The female employee, who had also been a huge help carrying the merchandise, showed no trace of fatigue on her face.

"I was getting a little hungry anyway. Let's go."

He agreed without much thought. The original plan had been to eat in Sapporo before returning to Nishiken Farm anyway.

"But since it's a celebration, how about inviting the stable staff and jockey Devon Coe too?"

—Even though it was only a maiden race, hardly something that seemed worth celebrating this much.

The moment he said that, a burst of noise loud enough to draw the attention of passersby erupted beside him.

"Long live the president!"

"There are so many restaurants nearby—"

"I won't hold back on Eri-chan's first prize money!"

As noisy as ever.

"Let's go to this one—"

While the employees were still scrolling through various apps in search of a destination, Kitano pointed toward a corner outside the parking lot.

"I'm fairly familiar with this area, at least."

After all, Hokkaido University, his alma mater, was only one block away from the racecourse.

Most of the time,